Question about a rifle I received in trade

[GunGoBoom]

got in trade yesterday a Rem 700 - I think BDL - it has a hinged floorplate, sythentic stock (with homegrown camo job, pretty decent), chambered in 7mm rem mag, 24" bbl. I really didn't want or need this rifle but I felt like I got a decent trade on it. Anyway, my question is this... the rifle is stamped "stainless steel", yet it has a blue job on it as well, or something very similar - it's a gray-bluish color. The blueing is quite worn - very poor condition, just because it looks like it's been used quite a bit. But was this a common configuration from the factory - a blue job on top of stainless steel, rather than carbon steel? Or likely an aftermarket job? Since the blueing looks like dog crap, is there any simple way I could at home remove the blueing and end up with shiny stainless steel if I were so inclined?

 

[pauli]

are you sure it's not just paint?

 

[bosshoff]

I would think it would be very easy to "Bead blast" the barrel and action. You could then have only the action re-blued. Or you could have the whole thing coated with one of the wonder finishes. I even think Gander mountain will do the whole rifle in Real-tree cammo if you want.

 

[Chawbaccer]

The barrel was probably finished to compliment the home made camo on the stock. I'd try rubbing it with steel wool to see if that did any good.

 

[GunGoBoom]

OK, thanks guys. I'll steel wool it and if that doesn't work, visit gunsmith.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

GunGoBoom,

I picked up a Remington 700 ADL at a gunshow a year or so ago. It's also marked Stainless Steel on the barrel, and it blued very nicely. I think what you're describing is wear, as opposed to the homemade bluing. I don't know if this was a common configuration from the factory, but it was indeed something Remington did.

Sam

 

[Freedomv]

I could be wrong but I don't believe a stainless steel barrel will take a blueing as a chrome moly barrel will.

The factory finish on a stainless barrel isn't blueing as we know or think of it and can not be touched up with cold blue touch up chemicals. etc.

Something I was told way back when and I tend to believe. For what it's worth.

Vern

 

[Elkslayer]

Early Rem 700 7mm Mag came with stainless steel blued bbls. I bought mine in '68 and still have it.